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Drouin, 31, has one year remaining on his contract with a $4 million cap hit after being acquired from the New York Islanders on March 6 as part of the Brayden Schenn trade.

With Alexander Steen set to officially take over as Blues general manager on Wednesday after the Blues introduced the 42-year-old at a press conference on Tuesday, it will go down as the first buyout by the Blues since before Doug Armstrong took over as GM in 2010.

“Obviously a tough decision. We waited a lot,” Steen said. “I think ‘Dru’ is a very defined player and at the end of the day, we didn’t feel like we were going to provide him with a position to excel, so we landed at that decision.”

The Blues will but themselves some cap space, and under the current structure in the CBA, are responsible to pay 2/3 of Drouin's remaining salary.

If Drouin, who had a goal and two assists in nine games in St. Louis, goes unclaimed, the Blues will owe him $1,333,333 million over the next two seasons.

Asked whether this was to give more of a defined role to someone like Otto Stenberg, a first-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, Steen said, " What our management group is really high on is internal competition, so we’ll be looking at everything. We’re happy with where our team’s positioned right now, but that would be something that we’d explore if it presented itself to us. This is going to be a highly-competitive camp."

Blues Qualify McMichael, Place Drouin On Waivers, Don't Issue QO's To Berggren, KesselDeadline to qualify restricted free agents was 4 p.m. (CT) Monday; players can become UFAs on Wednesday

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June 30, 2026

LeBron James exits Lakers as Buss, Magic praise his legacy

As LeBron James departs the Los Angeles Lakers, two of the franchise's key figures – Jeanie Buss and Magic Johnson – shared their thoughts on the impact he's had the club.

“LeBron James is one of the greatest athletes in history,’’ wrote Buss, the team’s governor and controlling executive. “We will always be thankful for his eight years with the Lakers – including the title he led us to in 2020 under the toughest imaginable circumstances and the countless records he broke in purple and gold. We wish him all the best in the future, both on the court and off. He will always be a cherished part of the Lakers family.’’

Magic Johnson also had a key role in the Lakers signing LeBron James in 2018.

"I want to thank LeBron James and his super agent Rich Paul for taking a meeting with me back in 2018 when I was President of the Lakers and deciding to sign with us,'' Johnson wrote. " He created a whole new era for the Lakers, including leading us to an NBA Championship in 2020 and all the milestones he surpassed in a Lakers jersey. I’ll always love and be grateful for him and wish him all the best in the next phase of his life, on and off the court!"

The Lakers had failed to make the playoffs for five straight seasons before James arrived. The Lakers ended that drought in James’ second season with the team and reached the postseason in seven of his last seasons with the Lakers.

Luka Doncic, who joined the Lakers midway through the 2024-25 season, posted a photo of himself and James hugging with the caption: “An honor to play with and learn from you @kingjames.”

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: LeBron James exits Lakers as Buss, Magic praise his legacy

June 30, 2026

Report: Maple Leafs Adding Patrick Kane In Free Agency Seems Unlikely

There has been plenty of talk and noise regarding right winger Patrick Kane and the Toronto Maple Leafs as a potential destination for him this off-season. Those discussions were kick-started when 2026 first overall pick Gavin McKenna revealed that Kane had messaged him after being drafted and that he was his hockey idol growing up.

However, Chris Johnston on TSN's early version of Insider Trading reported that it seems unlikely that the Maple Leafs and Kane would become a marriage this summer.

"It doesn't seem to be like that's actually something that's likely to materialize," Johnston reported on Tuesday. "I'm not sure that's a good fit as some people have said."

Along with that report, Johnston added that there should be multiple teams lining up for Kane's services, possibly including his hometown Buffalo Sabres or even a return to the Chicago Blackhawks.

Nonetheless, though Kane seems interested in testing out what the free-agent market looks like in his favor, Johnston doesn't believe the Maple Leafs will be among the front-runners to land the three-time Stanley Cup champion.

How Patrick Kane Would Fit With The Maple Leafs If Acquired In Free AgencyToronto Maple Leafs first overall pick Gavin McKenna revealed that Patrick Kane is one of his hockey idols. With that, the thought of Toronto pursuing Kane in free agency has surfaced. How would Kane fit in with the Maple Leafs?

Though Kane is 37 years old, he's proven to still be an offensive threat and a respectable point-producer in the NHL. In his past three seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, he recorded great numbers considering where he is in his career and the major hip resurfacing surgery he went through in the summer of 2023.

This past year, Kane registered 16 goals and 57 points in 67 appearances for Detroit, while averaging 17:42 of ice time. He finished the year as the fifth-best scorer on his team.

Also, he showed no signs of slowing down at the end of the 2025-26 season. In fact, after the Olympic break, Kane posted eight goals and 25 points in his last 24 games of the year, averaging over a point per game. He was the second-highest scorer on the team in that span, only behind Alex DeBrincat's 11 goals and 28 points.

The 2015-16 Hart Trophy winner is coming off three straight one-year contracts, with his latest deal costing just $3 million against the salary cap.

June 30, 2026

How the Raptors’ Kawhi Leonard trade helps the Sixers

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 02: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers controls the ball against Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers in the second half at Intuit Dome on February 02, 2026 in Inglewood, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Los Angeles Clippers are “nearing a deal” to send Kawhi Leonard to the Toronto Raptors for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round picks, one first-round pick swap and two second-rounders, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.

That seems like a clear win not just for the Raptors, but the Sixers as well.

Thanks to the James Harden trade, the Sixers own the Clippers’ fully unprotected 2028 first-round pick along with a top-three-protected pick swap in 2029. Swapping out the oft-injured 35-year-old Leonard for the soon-to-be 29-year-old Ingram might give the Clippers a higher floor, but they now have a much lower ceiling.

That’s where the NBA’s new draft-lottery system could help the Sixers.

Under the former system, the lottery included the 14 teams that wound up missing the playoffs, and only the first four picks were drawn via lottery. In other words, the team with the worst record in the league couldn’t fall below the No. 5 pick, the second-worst record couldn’t fall below the No. 6 pick, etc. The lottery teams with the worst records also had higher odds of winning the No. 1 pick than those with better records.

For tanking teams, that floor was almost as important as the ceiling. Under the new lottery system, that floor is now gone.

The new lottery will include 16 teams—the 10 teams that miss the play-in tournament, the No. 9 and No. 10 seeds in each conference, and the loser of the No. 7 vs. No. 8 play-in games—and all 16 picks will be drawn via lottery. The new lottery flattened every team’s odds, too. The teams with the three worst records have only a 28 percent chance of landing a top-five pick and a 61 percent chance of getting a top-10 pick, while the other non-play-in teams have a 39 percent chance at a top-five pick and a 73 percent chance at a top-10 pick.

The NBA Board of Governors today approved a new NBA Draft Lottery system designed to eliminate incentives for teams to prioritize their position in the Draft over winning games.

Full release: https://t.co/I42k5HeUV0

Additional information regarding the new system, including the… pic.twitter.com/o1QItNPIit
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) May 28, 2026

In other words, the new system introduced far more variance into the lottery. That should make for thrilling television, but it’s now impossible to predict where any team will land.

In the wake of the Leonard trade, the Clippers are left to build around Ingram, Darius Garland and No. 5 overall pick Keaton Wagler. Beyond that, it’s unclear what else they have up their sleeves for now.

The Clippers do still have Derrick Jones Jr., Brook Lopez and Kris Dunn, but all three are on expiring contracts. Beyond that, they have Isaiah Jackson and Cam Christie signed for two more years, while Yanic Konan Niederhauser has three years left on his rookie-scale deal.

In an increasingly cutthroat Western Conference, where does that roster leave them? More importantly, how many West teams can you confidently say would be worse than the Clippers in 2027-28 and 2028-29?

The Sacramento Kings, for sure. The Memphis Grizzlies, maybe. The Dallas Mavericks? The New Orleans Pelicans? Beyond that, it’s already unclear.

Until the NBA announces the results of the cap-circumvention investigation into the Clippers, the Sixers should cling to the Clippers’ unprotected 2028 first-round pick and the top-three-protected 2029 first-round swap unless they’re blown away by an offer. Perhaps the Clippers get off scot-free… but what if they don’t? The NBA has the right to take away multiple draft picks and/or suspend the Clippers’ front office executives.

If the Denver Nuggets are amenable to swapping Nikola Jokić and Joel Embiid with those picks attached, that’s one thing. But short of Jokić, Luka Dončić or Victor Wembanyama becoming available, it’d be a tough sell to give up a fully unprotected pick of a team that could easily be in the lottery in 2028 and 2029.

At this point, it seems clear that the Sixers are mostly building with the Maxey-Edgecombe era in mind. Those Clippers picks could be the crown jewel of that effort. They should act accordingly with those, particularly with Leonard now set to leave L.A.

Unless otherwise noted, all stats via NBA.com, PBPStats, Cleaning the Glass or Basketball Reference. All salary information via Spotrac and salary-cap information via RealGM.

Follow Bryan on Bluesky.

June 30, 2026

LeBron James next team odds 2026: Will LBJ join Stephen Curry, Draymond Green on Warriors? Reunion with Heat?

Let's begin with the obvious and recurring theme of every summer: The NBA offseason never disappoints.

The official word has come down from the camp of King James; LeBron will be continuing his basketball career somewhere other than the City of Angels…but where? Let's run through a few of the candidates and the odds courtesy of DraftKings. We are not considering salary caps or James' salary demands. Those issues quickly become non-issues once an NBA star's intentions become known.

LeBron James Next Team: Long Shots

Heat (+1000)

As desperate as Pat Riley may be to win another championship, it's a safe assumption LeBron's departure from South Beach burned a bridge that has yet to be repaired.

Mavericks (+3000)

A second act featuring LeBron and Kyrie is appetizing only because it worked once…a long time ago. Frankly, though, it feels like it would be way too much to put on first-year Head Coach Dusty May and even more importantly would set back the maturation of the cornerstone of this franchise's future, Cooper Flagg. Hard Pass.

Knicks (+3000)

There was a time not long ago that Knicks’ fans were begging LeBron to call Madison Square Garden home, but those days are ancient history now that Jalen Brunson has brought the Big Apple its first NBA Title since 1973.

Nets (+4000)

Rumors that Jaylen Brown winds up in Brooklyn. Believable. LeBron James to a team that is currently irrelevant in terms of winning a championship? Not a chance.

76ers (+5000)

Lebron James has played in 201 regular season games over the last three seasons. Joel Embiid has played in 96. Doubtful they could co-exist in the same locker room.

Clippers (+5000)

I like those odds better than the Nets but no way he goes from ShowTime to the other team in town. Just not his way.

LeBron James Next Team: Favorites

Cavaliers (+300)

Would be too good to have the King end his historic run with another championship in his hometown. Can that relationship work again, though? Like many a family, there were ups and downs during the first two marriages. Ohio is holding out hope the leaders in the clubhouse can’t find a way to put all the pieces together.

Warriors (-500)

A dream come true for Adam Silver, NBC, and all broadcasting partners of the Association. The rumor gaining traction by the moment has LeBron and Anthony Davis joining Draymond and Steph Curry for what would appear to be a final run. Yes, there will be aches and sore joints that will accompany what surely will be one of the oldest starting 5’s in the history of the NBA, but a tremendous opportunity for Advil, Motrin, Icy Hot or all of the above to tie their brand to what will be must watch TV all season.

The NBA offseason never disappoints.

June 30, 2026

Potential landing spots for LeBron James: Warriors, Cavaliers on list

Potential landing spots for LeBron James: Warriors, Cavaliers on list originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The biggest NBA free agency saga now involves a 41-year-old.

LeBron James is officially on the market as he informed the Los Angeles Lakers Tuesday that he will not return to the team after eight seasons.

Arguably the greatest of all time, James now has the entire league to pick from. Whether his motivation is another ring, happiness or elevating youth won’t be clear until he makes another decision.

But what is clear is that the league’s landscape is altering once again, as the Lakers have a hole to fill alongside Luka Doncic. And the franchise is capable of landing any name it desires.

So, where should James take his talents to next? These five teams make the most sense, though his profile fits with any franchise:

Golden State Warriors

Let’s start with the most controversial. The Warriors are expected to be in the mix for James as he could potentially team with Steph Curry and Draymond Green, once his biggest rivals in the mid 2010s. Golden State could also make a trade offer for Anthony Davis, though Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody are two contracts that would need to move off the books. Would such a move ruin James’ legacy? Or would playing alongside Curry and Co. elevate it more? It’s tough to see a possible team have the legs for a long championship run, but the rumors are there for a reason.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Going back to where it all started makes perfect sense, especially for a Cleveland team that is competitive and needs a true level-raising forward. Donovan Mitchell needs a true partner come playoff time, while Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen are capable of doing the dirty work down low (potentially trading one for a different forward profile also makes sense). James Harden reportedly is also willing to return on a cheaper deal to help contend. With better depth options, Cleveland wouldn’t be far off from the top of the East. And seeing James in Cleveland’s colors just feels right.

Miami Heat

Speaking of reunions, Miami could be a perfect spot, too. With Giannis Antetokounmpo coming to town, the Heat have a true superstar to go with Bam Adebayo, Andrew Wiggins and Norman Powell. Erik Spoelstra is still the head coach and hasn’t lost his reputation of developing hidden gems. Miami’s clear roster hole is a pass-first playmaker. That’s the hole that James could fill as his legs wear down — and the Heat would instantly be a bigger threat because of it.

San Antonio Spurs

If another ring is the primary goal, James takes a shot in Texas. The Spurs are loaded with young talents, led by Victor Wembanyama, Dylan Harper, Stephon Castle, De’Aaron Fox and more. What killed San Antonio in the NBA Finals’ loss was not having enough veteran presence in clutch moments. Turnovers, poor shot selections and rushed moments all saw the New York Knicks take advantage with a 4-1 gentlemen’s sweep. James alleviates that with the Spurs also needing better forwards this summer. They also have the fresh legs on both sides of the ball to make it work.

Minnesota Timberwolves

An underrated ring-seeking option could be with the Timberwolves. On paper, their starting lineup would arguably be among the best in the league: LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards, James, Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert. There’s the right mix of defending and playmaking for James to fit into. The real question marks involve the depth beyond that, though. Naz Reid was traded for Ball while Donte DiVincenzo will be out most of the season with an Achilles tendon tear. Still, the he level of starting talent is something to consider.

Honorable mention

Sacramento Kings: Should “The King” close his story out with the Kings? After all, his first NBA game took place in Sacramento.

June 30, 2026

Kawhi Leonard trade grades for Raptors, Clippers blockbuster that returns legend to Toronto

ORLANDO, FL - APRIL 19: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors against the Orlando Magic during Game Three of the first round of the 2019 NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at the Amway Center on April 19, 2019 in Orlando, Florida. The Raptors defeated the Magic 98 to 93. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Kawhi Leonard led the Toronto Raptors to one of the most improbable championships in NBA history back in 2019 during his only season with the franchise. Leonard would leave for the Los Angeles Clippers in free agency weeks later, and ever since both parties have failed to recoup the same level of success they enjoyed together.

The idea of Leonard returning to Toronto felt like it was never going to happen, but things can change fast in the NBA. Six years after they teamed up on an unforgettable run to the Larry O’Brien Trophy, Kawhi and Raptors are together again.

Toronto acquired Leonard from the Clippers in exchange for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round picks, one pick swap, and two second-round picks, according to Shams Charania. We’ll update this post when the exact details on the picks are announced.

The Raptors believe they can compete to win the East again with Leonard in tow. The Clippers are rebuilding. Let’s grade this trade for both sides.

Raptors grade for Kawhi Leonard deal

Toronto returned to the playoffs last year after three years in the wilderness, and pushing an eventual conference finalist in the Cleveland Cavaliers to seven games in the first-round. The Raptors mostly did it with defense, riding a top-5 unit to 46 wins while the offense was league-average. If Toronto wanted to improve this year, they had to boost the offense without sacrificing the defense, and they did exactly that by landing Leonard.

Kawhi immediately fixes a lot of Toronto’s biggest issues if he can stay healthy. He gives them half-court shot creation, three-point shooting, and another ferocious wing defender who can roam off the ball as his younger teammates take on tougher assignments. Leonard quietly had one of the best years of his career at 34 years old last season, putting up a career-best 43.3 points per 100 possessions while also rebounding the ball as well as ever. He graded out as the fifth-best player in the league last season by EPM, and finished even better than that in a lot of other all-in-one advanced metrics.

You don’t need a fancy algorithm to tell you Kawhi is really good at basketball when he’s on the floor. He’s a super efficient scorer from all three levels who doesn’t turn the ball over, rebounds well, and can still be a terror defensively. It’s pretty amazing that Toronto was able to land him without really giving up much value.

Ingram had a nice year last season, but he was absolutely not on a team-friendly contract with $82 million owed to him over the next two seasons. Dick has mostly been a bust. This is all about Toronto giving up two future first-round picks and a pick swap. You can argue the Raptors are mortgaging their future to chase a championship right now with Kawhi, but he’s worth it as long as he can stay on the floor. It’s wild that the Raptors gave up more draft capital to get Kawhi in 2026 than they did in 2018.

The only risk here for the Raptors comes with Kawhi’s looming contract extension. He’s 35, and obviously he has a long history of not being healthy before this past season. Judging this move in a vacuum, though, it’s a home run for Toronto. I don’t know why other possible contenders didn’t get in on the bidding.

Raptors grade: B+

Clippers grade for Kawhi Leonard deal

It’s understandable that the Clippers didn’t want to give Kawhi a contract extension, and that made trading him an easy choice. His value was never going to get higher than it is right now after a terrific season. I’m just not sure the Clippers got the best deal they could have.

The bidding for Kawhi seemed like it was a bit depressed because he indicated he was only willing to sign an extension with the Raptors or San Antonio Spurs. My response to that: who cares! Leonard is so good that other contenders should have been trying to trade for him. We’ve already seen him lead a championship run as a rental, and it might actually be a good thing for another team that he won’t take a contract extension right now if his body breaks down again. I think Denver, Boston, Detroit, Philly, and more should have gotten in on the bidding. The Raptors’ offer wasn’t that strong.

My guess is the Clippers flip Ingram either at the trade deadline or next summer as an expiring contract. The two first-round picks are the real prize here, and the Clippers did well to also get a future pick swap.

The Clippers’ future rests on the shoulders of No. 5 overall pick Keaton Wagler, with Darius Garland as a sub-headliner, and now they have more future assets to continue to build around them. LA has a lot of work to do, but getting out of the Kawhi business is a smart move because they couldn’t compete for a title with him. They did well in this trade for an expiring contract.

Clippers grade: A

June 30, 2026

Canucks Sign Guillaume Brisebois To One-Year Contract Extension

The Vancouver Canucks have signed veteran defenceman Guillaume Brisebois to a one-year, two-way contract extension.

A third-round pick in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, Brisebois has been with the Canucks' AHL-affiliate since the 2017-18 season, playing for both the Utica Comets (2017-18 to 2020-21) and Abbotsford Canucks (2021-22 to present). He is one of only three players drafted by the Canucks before 2016 still with the organization.

Brisebois has served predominantly as a depth defender for the Canucks organization throughout his time with Vancouver. He made his NHL debut on February 14, 2019 against the Los Angeles Kings and scored his first-career NHL goal on March 14, 2023 versus the Dallas Stars.

Though he spent most of the 2025-26 season injured, Brisebois did end up skating in nine games for Abbotsford, scoring a goal and an assists during this span of time.

Brisebois was set to become a free-agent come July 1.

Jan 3, 2025; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks defenseman Guillaume Brisebois (55) handles the puck against the Nashville Predators in the first period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images

Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.

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June 30, 2026

Clippers trade Kawhi Leonard back to Raptors in franchise-shifting deal

All-NBA forward Kawhi Leonard is on the move.

The Los Angeles Clippers traded the 14-year veteran to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round picks, one pick swap and two second-round picks ahead of the start to NBA free agency, according to multiple reports on Tuesday, June 30.

Leonard, 35, had expressed a desire to stay with the Clippers, with whom he first signed with as a free agent before the 2019-20 NBA season. However, the Clippers had been reluctant to make a long-term commitment to the seven-time All-Star.

Leonard averaged a career-high 27.4 points per game last season and finished seventh in the NBA MVP voting. However, the Clippers finished with a 42-40 record and lost to the Golden State Warriors in the play-in tournament.

Kawhi Leonard trade details

Raptors receive: Kawhi Leonard
Clippers receive: Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round picks, one pick swap and two second-round picks

Kawhi Leonard age

Kawhi Leonard turned 35 years old on June 29, 2026.

Kawhi Leonard contract

Leonard has one season left on his contract, which is scheduled to pay him $50.3 million.

The trade immediately makes him eligible to sign up to a two-year, $123.7 million extension with his new team, according to ESPN.

Kawhi Leonard's history with Raptors

This move reunites Leonard with the Raptors. Leonard played just one season in Toronto, but it was a memorable one.

After spending the first seven seasons of his pro career and winning a championship in 2014 with the San Antonio Spurs, Leonard was traded to the Raptors in 2018. He led the team on a historic run to the franchise's first-ever NBA title, defeating the Warriors in six games in 2019.

Leonard was named the NBA Finals MVP for the second time in his career but left at the end of the season to sign with the Clippers.

What teams has Kawhi Leonard been on?

Kawhi Leonard has played for three teams during his 15-year NBA career. He played seven seasons with the San Antonio Spurs to start his career and then spent the 2018-19 season with the Toronto Raptors. He has played for the Los Angeles Clippers since the 2019-20 season.

Kawhi Leonard stats

Leonard averaged a career-best 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists with the Clippers during the 2025-26 season.

Kawhi Leonard Aspiration scandal

Though Leonard is leaving the Clippers, his legacy will remain behind in the form of the NBA's pending investigation into the franchise's conduct related to an endorsement deal Leonard signed after joining the Clippers. Leonard and Clippers owner Steve Ballmer have reportedly been interviewed as part of the investigation.

Leonard is alleged to have sign a no-show endorsement deal with Aspiration, a company that sponsored the Clippers, as a way to circumvent the NBA's salary cap and collective bargaining agreement. Though Ballmer has admitted to introducing Leonard to Aspiration's leaders, the Clippers have denied any allegations of illegal behavior concerning the NBA's CBA.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver said at the NBA Finals that the league is close to wrapping up its investigation into the matter.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Clippers trade Kawhi Leonard back to Raptors in franchise-shifting deal

June 30, 2026

Dallas Mavericks Exercise Ryan Nembhard’s Team Option

DALLAS, TEXAS - APRIL 12: Ryan Nembhard #9 of the Dallas Mavericks walks backcourt during the second half against the Chicago Bulls at American Airlines Center on April 12, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the GettyImages License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Dallas Mavericks will exercise point guard Ryan Nembhard’s $2.2 million team option for the 2026-27 season, according to Marc Stein.

In his rookie season, he averaged 6.6 points on a shooting split of 41.5 field goal percentage/35.6 three-point percentage/80.6 free throw percentage, 5.3 assists, and 2.2 rebounds in 19.5 minutes across 60 appearances. Nembhard set an NBA rookie record with 23 assists in Dallas’ 2025-26 season finale against the Chicago Bulls.

The floor leader will play for the Mavericks during the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, Nevada, starting on July 9 against forward Graham Ike and the Golden State Warriors.

We have exercised our team option on Ryan Nembhard 👏@chime // #MFFL pic.twitter.com/r8ZbRMNfYe
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) June 30, 2026

That wasn’t the only recent news regarding the Nembhard family. Both Ryan and Indiana Pacers combo guard Andrew Nembhard, plus Italy’s Reyer Venezia forward Kyle Witjer, were named to the Canadian Senior Men’s National Team’s 16-man training camp roster before the 2026 FIBA World Cup qualifiers.

Canada will host Puerto Rico on July 3 and Jamaica on Jul 6 at the TD Coliseum in Hamilton, Ontario.

Canada basketball reveals its training camp roster for FIBA World Cup qualifiers in July.

Notable NBA guys:
– Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
– Dillon Brooks
– Nickeil Alexander-Walker
– Kyshawn George
– Andrew Nembhard
– Ryan Nembhard pic.twitter.com/Y8PWcq1Vv0
— Libaan Osman (@libaanstar1) June 29, 2026

At the conclusion of this third qualifying window for Canada, Ryan will then make his way to Sin City to join the Dallas organization.

Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on X @a_cravalho

June 30, 2026

LeBron James breaks silence on leaving Lakers, 'Hope I made a few proud'

The cat's out the bag. LeBron James is not returning to the Los Angeles Lakers for his 24th NBA season. And the King has spoken.

The four-time NBA champion first joined the Lakers in the summer of 2018. Eight summers later, James is hanging up his Laker jersey for a new basketball home in the twilight of his career.

His agent, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul informed ESPN that the Lakers can begin their offseason plans without James in mind, deciding to test free agency at age 41.

The sports world reacted. Many were shocked. Some saw it coming. Others didn't think it would actually happen. Yet, here we are.

James responded on an X (formerly Twitter) post.

"No, THANK YOU! Truly a honor to wear the (purple and gold) while trying to continuing the greatness & legacies that came before me! Hope I made a few proud during my stint," James wrote back.

No, THANK YOU! Truly a honor to wear the 💜💛 while trying to continuing the greatness & legacies that came before me! Hope I made a few proud during my stint. 🙏🏾🫡👑 https://t.co/RmQ6uvvgv0
— LeBron James (@KingJames) June 30, 2026

Heartfelt messages of gratitude have poured in on social media, thanking James for what he brought to the game, particularly for the Lakers. He received messages from Lakers legend Magic Johnson, now-former teammate Luka Doncic and team president Jeannie Buss.

Buss's message spanned across eight lines in a post describing what the four-time MVP has meant to the franchise since arriving in 2018.

"LeBron James is one of the greatest athletes in history. We will always be thankful for his eight years with the Lakers – including the title he led us to in 2020 under the toughest imaginable circumstances and the countless records he broke in purple and gold. We wish him all the best in the future, both on the court and off. He will always be a cherished part of the Laker family," Buss wrote.

James will continue to decipher what his next journey in the league will look like. The NBA free agency period opens June 30 at 6 p.m. ET.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY Sports: LeBron James breaks silence on leaving Lakers, 'Hope I made a few proud'

June 30, 2026

Report: Cavs looking to clear space for LeBron by trading two players

CLEVELAND, OHIO - NOVEMBER 25: Max Strus #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers guards LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the fourth quarter at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on November 25, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Lakers defeated the Cavaliers 121-115. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The LeBron James sweepstakes are off and running. Naturally, the Cleveland Cavaliers are right in the mix to bring the 41-year-old superstar back home. They have some housekeeping to do before that happens, though.

The Cavs are reportedly looking to trade Dennis Schroder and/or Max Strus in order to open space for James to sign in Cleveland, according to The Athletic’s Joe Vardon.

“The Cavs are trying to trade forward Max Strus, so they could sign LeBron or another player into that mid-level exception,” said Vardon.

Yahoo’s Jake Fischer confirms the report, adding that a salary dump would also give the Cavs a better chance at retaining forward Dean Wade.

Cleveland is in a tough spot financially. As of writing, they could only offer James the veteran minimum to wear the wine and gold again. But, if they can consolidate some of their talent for additional cap space, the non-taxpayer mid-level exception could become available to them.

Dumping Strus’s or Schroder’s salary is one way they can get closer to that.

Strus is set to make $16 million next season. Schroder will make $14.8 million. Unloading both would give them access to the NTLME. Moving one while negotiating a discounted deal on James Harden’s next contract could achieve the same result.

A few things are working in Cleveland’s favor. Not only are they the most storybook ending location for James to complete his career, but reports have already suggested that money will not be the deciding factor in where James lands this summer. That benefits the Cavs, as they simply don’t have much money to offer James. But there’s no place like home.

Strus and Schroder both aided Cleveland in their run to the Eastern Conference finals last season. Strus, especially, has been a fan favorite for his hustle and playoff intensity over the years. The Cavs would have to trade either of them without taking any salary back to unlock the NTLME. But if landing James is the final result, it would be worth it.

No one knows where James will take his talents next. All the Cavs can do is clear the way for the easiest landing possible if James decides that he wants to end his career at home.

June 30, 2026

Golden Knights Trade Defenseman To Penguins In Salary Cap Dump

The Vegas Golden Knights are making moves. On Tuesday, they announced their second trade in as many days, sending defenseman Kaedan Korczak to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for defenseman Parker Wotherspoon.

The Golden Knights are only on the hook for paying Wotherspoon $500,000, as the Penguins are retaining 50% of his contract. They also gained another $2,750,000 in salary cap relief by dumping the 25-year-old Korczak, whose four-year, $3,250,000 contract extension had not yet kicked in.

The Golden Knights drafted Korczak with the 41st overall pick in 2019. He’d taken the steps towards becoming an every-night NHLer, and he got his chance last year without Alex Pietrangelo in the lineup. However, Korczak never lived up to the contract extension he signed last July, and he was inconsistent in a sheltered role. His struggles continued in the postseason, and Korczak eventually lost his roster spot to Dylan Coghlan.

Parker Wotherspoon is 28 years old and is coming off a career year in which he scored 3 goals and 30 points in 80 games. He isn’t the biggest player, and he’ll be the runt of the litter on the Vegas blueline. However, Wotherspoon is one tough customer, as he was second among all Penguins players in hits with 162. He’s a smooth-skater who is dangerous in transition, so he’ll fit right in with the other Golden Knights defensemen.

Acquiring Wotherspoon, a left-shot defenseman, almost certainly marks the end of Jeremy Lauzon’s time in a Golden Knights sweater. Lauzon will become an Unrestricted Free Agent on July 1st, and after the postseason he had, he is due for a raise that the Golden Knights most likely couldn’t afford to pay him.

As per usual, the Golden Knights have been linked to just about every big name on the trade block. Their flurry of activity, combined with how efficiently they’ve freed up salary cap space, probably signals that something big is coming.

June 30, 2026

Atlanta-Based PrizePicks Named Official Partner of NBA's Hawks

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A pair of Atlanta staples are teaming up as official partners in a landmark first.

Key Takeaways

PrizePicks announced its first NBA team partnership with the Atlanta Hawks.
The deal includes branding at State Farm Arena, broadcast integration, and new fan experiences.
The partnership expands PrizePicks' growing sports portfolio that also includes the Atlanta Braves and the NBA at large.

Daily fantasy sports operator PrizePicks announced a new partnership with the Atlanta Hawks, marking the first NBA team partnership for the prominent sports entertainment brand.

The partnership further cements PrizePicks' presence in Atlanta's sports scene, with the company headquartered in the Peach State’s capital city. PrizePicks additionally has long maintained a partnership with MLB’s Atlanta Braves dating back to 2020.

ATL runs deep in our DNA ‼️🍑 Excited to partner with our hometown team @ATLHawks https://t.co/IuCD5VcKNY
— PrizePicks (@PrizePicks) June 29, 2026

"PrizePicks was born in Atlanta and basketball has always been part of our soul, so we couldn’t be more excited that our first NBA franchise partnership is with our hometown team,” said Joey Molko, PrizePicks' senior vice president of partnerships. “The Hawks share our obsession with bringing fans closer to the game, and we can’t wait to join them in making every game more fun to watch and to celebrate basketball culture in THE A."

Major integration on game days

The move will see PrizePicks partner not only with the club but with its home, State Farm Arena, with PrizePicks branding set to feature across the club’s game-day experience both in-person and on broadcasts.

“We are thrilled to be the first NBA franchise to partner with PrizePicks,” said Andrew Saltzman, president of business enterprise for the Hawks and State Farm Arena. “As two organizations with deep roots in Atlanta, we look forward to building something truly special together and creating new opportunities to deliver unique and engaging experiences to our fans."

The integration will also see the utilization of “certain groups of Atlanta Hawks players throughout the local market to appeal to the growing fan community on PrizePicks.”

The deal also introduces the PrizePicks Party Deck within State Farm Arena, where fans will be able to “enjoy elevated Hawks game-day experiences,” as well as other events hosted in-arena. PrizePicks will also serve as a presenting sponsor across multiple Hawks initiatives including Hawks AF (And Friends) and the club’s internally produced podcast series.

“Earlier this year, PrizePicks was named an Official Daily Fantasy Sports Partner of the National Basketball Association,” the company noted. “Together, these partnerships reinforce the company’s commitment to professional sports and its continued focus on delivering innovative, fan-first experiences.”

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